We are looking into having our windows replaced as we have quite a bad recurring mould problem upstairs and our windows are drafty making upstairs very cold and downstairs they have blown.
Upon inspection it appears our current UPVC windows are 15+ years old and therefore due to be ugraded, but what I wasn’t expecting was the huge difference in quotes. We had had door knocks from a couple of companies offering a scrappage scheme a few months back, but we’d sent them on their way as a government scrappage scheme doesn’t exist (yet).
To add insult to injury, it also appears that the previous house owners have used sofit boards to clad our house, which are attached snug to our walls, which doesn’t let them breathe. This is the main cause of the mould problem and therefore we need to replace them too.
I contacted reputable local companies for several quotes plus a friend of a friend. One horrified us coming in at £10K and then quickly dropped the price again and again, making it seem like he was doing us a good deal. Others just came in, measured up and went away, calling later with their respective quotes. Only one, brought an example of their product.
The windows are all guaranteed for 10 years. Some are Argon filled, others are made in a machine that itself it Argon filled. One set comes from Germany, others are trade windows or made in a factory locally.
We originally decided to go with the company who brought their product round to show us, plus my mum had her conservatory fitted by them last year and was really pleased with the service. The cost was slightly higher than the other quotes, but they had made a real effort to bring a surveyor round to see what was causing our mould issues.
It since turns out that their surveyor was actually another salesman, and consequently our new cladding quote from them is double everyone elses quote for effectively exactly the same thing. They have now phoned today to say they tested our home for asbestos and it has come back positive, so they need to come back and discuss our options.
Both hubby and I are tempted to tell them to sling their hook. We are ploughing our savings back into our house to make it safe and comfortable, yet again sacrificing a holiday.
So my question to you is, does it really matter if it’s a trade window? Surely as long as it is is “A” rated and has a 10 year guarantee it shouldn’t make a difference, should it?
Have you had your windows replaced?
What did you do?
Your comments would be greatly appreciated!!
We currently live in rented accomodation and as such we didn’t have a choice. We were just glad to be going from single to double glazed. Now we have a child we have noticed terrible draughts coming from them. I think our landlord had them done on the cheap. I would go with someone who’s work you’ve seen, also have a look on rated.com (I think that’s the right website). Good luck 🙂 x
If you own your own home also consider how long you intend to live there. If its likely to remain your home for many years, then I would say its worthwhile making sure the job is done well xx
Thanks ladies, to my utter shock he came back and said the surveyor had said we didn’t need some stuff doing so actually saved us some money!!